In 2004, an Ithaca woman was looking for a unique activity to mark her 60th birthday. Her primary care physician suggested she do something she'd always wanted to do. The woman said, "Swim across Cayuga Lake!" Her physician offered to join in the fun. and together they decided to invite others and to make it a fundraiser for Hospicare. That inaugural 1.2 mile journey launched Women Swimmin’ for Hospicare!

In its first year, Women Swimmin' for Hospicare raised over $54,000. Last year, in our 21st year, the event raises more than $650,000 -- a demonstration of the incredible generosity of people in our community and the recognition of Hospicare’s impact on patients and families throughout Cortland and Tompkins counties.

In 2015, we launched Women Swimmin' Laps for Hospicare to allow participants the option to raise money for Hospicare while swimming any distance in any pool with a certified lifeguard. Women Swimmin' Laps allowed women to participate in this community swim, even if they weren't able to cross the lake on swim day. Laps swimmers have participated in pools as far away as Hawaii and Singapore! 

As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic upended our usual way of doing things. Unfortunately, it wasn't safe to gather hundreds of swimmers, boaters, and volunteers together in 2020.  Instead, we invited anyone (of any gender identity) to fundraise through Going the Distance for Hospicare, the companion fundraiser to Women Swimmin' for Hospicare. Participants from across the country and around the world participated in Go the Distance for Hospicare by walking, biking, volunteering, and yes...swimmin'!

Now Go the Distance is a permanent part of Women Swimmin' for Hospicare, even now that women are back in the lake, valiantly swimming from the east shore to the west shore!